Good afternoon Samoa
It is my hope that everyone had a blessed Easter and respite from the impacts of
COVID 19 on us all. I am warmed by the fact that as a nation we continue to be
united in prayer for the safety and security of all our people. Our condolences go
out to the families of all those whose lives have been lost in their battle with
COVID.
The recent update on the situation is that 45,696 Rapid Antigen tests have been
completed. From these tests: 6296 have tested positive since March 17. 63 cases
were detected at the border and together, the cumulative total for those that have
tested positive is 6,309. Fifteen (15) cases are in isolation wards and 4 are in the
Intensive Care Unit. 120 cases have fully recovered. One new death was recorded
in the last 48 hours bringing the total cumulative number of deaths to 13.
Our immediate focus is on continuing to completion the administration of second
doses for those in the age group 5-11 years.
The status of our vaccination rates is as follows:
• 91.9% of those 18 years and over have completed two doses.

• 84.2% of those in the age group 12 – 17 years have completed 2 doses
• 31.5% of those in the age cohort of 5.11 have completed 2 doses however
93.8% have completed the first dose. The vaccination roll out program for this
age group is continuing
• 59,759 booster doses have been completed to date which 49.8% of those
eligible for boosters in the age group 18 plus years.
Even though we continue to see a rise in the number of those infected, we need
to be vigilant in the implementation of the recommended public health measures.
The fact that the necessary services need to be accessible to everyone
necessitates the review of emergency orders from time to time.
In this regard, Cabinet decided at its meeting of today 19 April that the whole
country will remain at Alert Level 2 Orange for the next two weeks beginning
from midnight tonight 19 April until midnight Tuesday 3 May.
The following Orders have been amended accordingly:
1. Business hours including for shops are from 6am to 8pm Monday to
Saturday
2. For Sundays, services delivery will begin from 12pm – 8pm.
3. Opening hours will be from 6am -8pm after which a curfew will be in place
from 10pm until 6am the following day
4. The sale of alcohol is open in hotels, bars, restaurants and shops that are
licensed to do so within the opening hours of 6am-8pm unless stipulated
otherwise by the Liquor Board
5. Opening of public gatherings for 50 people for indoor settings and 100 for
outdoors;
6. Permitting gaming and related activities for 50 people and in compliance
with all security and safety measures and from 6am to 8pm.
7. Opening of all sports and recreational activities considering the set
number of people as mentioned above and in compliance with all health related
measures. The organizers are responsible for observing and complying with these
measures at all times.
8. Swimming is permitted at beaches and rivers during the required hours
9. All schools will remain closed; learning and teaching to continue using the
current platforms and arrangements.
10. Children under 12 years old are not allowed in public places.

11. Allowing of public transport under strict observance of social distancing and
health related protection measures.
12. Continue interisland ferry services observing social distancing and other
related protection measures.
13. All border related restrictions continue as in the previous SOE orders.
14. Normal working hours for the public sector will resume with strict
observance of health protection measures
15. Business owners and organizers of any public gathering are responsible
for ensuring compliance with social distancing, wearing face masks and other
related protection arrangements.
16. All other details will be shared by Government in the official release.
We continue to strongly encourage our country to complete vaccinations, wear
face masks, practice social distancing and minimize movements and public
gatherings.
Above all, we continue to put our trust in God, to lead our journey through these
difficult times.
Soifua